DHARAMSHALA: The Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts (TIPA) celebrated its 55th founding anniversary yesterday, dedicating a musical tribute to His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

The highlight of the anniversary celebrations was a musical competition between the two houses of TIPA – Ngonpa and Gyalu. It took around two months for the artistes to compose lyrics and music after consulting traditional and contemporary Tibetan music experts and aficionados.

The artistes presented traditional and contemporary songs and dances to showcase Tibet’s unique traditional arts and as an expression of gratitude to His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama.

Sikyong Dr. Lobsang Sangay presented the winner’s trophy to Gyalu after Ngonpa lost by a very narrow margin.

In his address, Sikyong praised the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts for their great contribution to the preservation and promotion of Tibetan arts since its inception on August 1959.

“Following its first cultural performance in September 1959 at Kalimpong in northeastern India, TIPA has toured more than 36 countries across the world, including at the Afro-Asian conference in April 1960 which was attended by 19 countries. So it has not only raised awareness on the Tibetan culture, but also played an important role in garnering support for the core issue of Tibet,” Sikyong said.

Sikyong said the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts plays a pivotal role in countering the destruction of Tibetan culture, language and religion under the Chinese rule.

It also acts as a bridge to pass on the traditional arts to the younger generation of Tibetans by training hundreds of teachers at the school level, he said.

The preservation of Tibetan traditional arts in exile has won applause from the international community, Sikyong said, urging the TIPA staff and artists to make greater efforts in its endeavour.

Sikyong said the number 14 holds special significance as TIPA celebrates its 55th anniversary in 2014 dedicated to His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama by the 14th Kashag. At the same, I also feel that number 55 is auspicious because TIPA celebrates its 55th anniversary as His Holiness the Dalai Lama was born on the 5th day of the 5th lunar month.

Top officials of the Central Tibetan Administration and representatives from the NGOs attended the function.

Founded in 1959 by His Holiness the Dalai Lama after coming into exile, TIPA is a premier institution for the preservation and promotion of Tibetan performing arts and culture.